About 85 genera and ca. 1000 species: throughout the tropics, extending into warm-temperate regions; 41 genera (one or two introduced) and 204 species (42 endemic, seven or eight introduced) in China.

Members of this tribe can usually be readily recognized by their fragile racemes bearing paired spikelets, one sessile and the other pedicelled. The dispersal unit is thus composed of sessile spikelet, rachis internode, and pedicel (the pedicelled spikelet falls separately), all of which contribute to the protection of the seed and are frequently ornamented or modified.

In the more primitive members both spikelets of a pair are alike and fertile and are arranged in a terminal panicle. In most genera, however, the pedicelled spikelet has lost its fertility and differs in shape and texture from the sessile one. In some genera the pedicelled spikelet is much reduced, and in extreme cases its pedicel is reduced to a vestige or fused to the adjacent internode. The sessile spikelets then appear single, but the fragile rachis gives a good clue to the correct tribe.

Another trend apparent throughout the tribe is the reduction of the large, terminal inflorescence to a few digitate or paired racemes, often arising from the axils of specialized leaves with inflated sheaths and reduced blades (spathes). In the most complex genera the ultimate unit is a boat-shaped sheath without a blade (spatheole) subtending 1 or 2 short racemes, and by repeated branching many of these units are gathered into a leafy compound panicle.

The spikelets contain 2 florets, but this is not obvious as the florets are delicate and usually reduced. However, it is seldom necessary to dissect the spikelets in order to identify a member of Andropogoneae. The apex of the upper lemma and position of the awn are sometimes important for identification. If the awn is gently drawn out, the small lemma at its base can be examined with a lens.